Chinese authorities have also openly considered lowering the threshold for Filipino teachers. The State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA) said the agency may soon officially add the Philippines to the country’s list of accepted native English-speaking countries for English teachers.

This marks a stark contrast to relations only three months ago, when the Hague international tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines in the South China Sea dispute.

Visitors from around 50 countries currently enjoy visa-free travel to the Philippines.